Machine for washing cans and the like.



J. L. RANNEY. MACHINE FOR WASHING GANS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1907.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909 J. L. RANNEY. MACHINE POR WASHING @ANS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1907 Patented Nov. 16. 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ilz vazzzazi" .0 `2P '7i als nja/027255 J. L. RANNEY. MACHINE FOR WASHING GANS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1907.

@d 9.a a 0T 9. ,dw ,w .JH M nos .ym w@ VE .OJ n .Uf 7 da n P JAKE L.. RANNEY, OFMACEDONIfOI-IIQ.

MACHINE 'FOR `WASHIN G @ANS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

Application filed Hay 16, 1907. 'Serial No. 374,078.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAKE L. RANNEY, a ciiif/.i-i; of the United States, resident of Macedonia, county of Summit, and State of Ohio.y have invented a new and useful Improveen-nt in Machines for l/Vashing Cans and hc Like, of ,which the following is a speciiication, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that i principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relating, as stated, to washing machines, is designed more particularly for use in connection with the washing of vessels, such as cans, and particularly milk cans. That a considerable portion of the trouble experienced by dairymen and dealers in milk with their customers is attributable to imporper or faulty cleansing of the vessels employed in connection with the handling of the commodity in question cannot be gainsaid. Of all the vessels thus employed, perhaps none are more ditlicult` to preserve in a proper cleanly state than the cans in which milk is handled in bulk. So far as I am aware, among all the numerous washing devices that have been provided for handling various sorts of vessels, none have been brought forth with a view to providing proper facilities for the washing of this particular vessel or can.

The object of my invention is, then, the provision of means for the thorou h and expeditious cleansing, and also sterilization, of vessels of the class in hand.

To the accomplishment of this and related objects,psaid invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly set forth inthe claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanisrn embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure l is a vertical central cross-section of one form of machine embodying my several improvements; Fig. 2 is a plan view of such machine; Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section thereof taken on the line 3 3, Fig. l; Fig. 4 is a vertical central cross-section of the means employed for supplying iiquid to the interior of the vessel being washed,'together with certain appurtenant parts; and Fig. 5

is a detail view of a portion of the brush employed in washing such vessels interior.

Having regard, then, to the several figures just described, A will be seen to designate the frame of themachine shown as being constructed of timbers, although this is wholly immaterial, being a matter of convenience merely.y Suitably supported in the base of such frame is a vertically disposed hollow conduit or pipe B that yis designed to be so mounted as to be stationary with respect to the frame, being supported at its lower end upon a block a. Upon such pipe are mounted both the brushes, hereinafter more fully to be described, and the rotary support C designed to receive the vessel to be washed, the latter resting upon a suitable bearing provided upon a transverse portion of frame A, as shown in Fig. l. Such pipe further serves as a means for conducting within the interior of the vessel being washed the necessary liquid for cleansing the same. To the latter end, connection is had with a suitable source of liquid supply, by means of another pipe B', the flow of liquid therethrough being controlled by a suitable valve b. Ordinarily, of course, hot water will be the liquid thus employed. In order to suitably direct and distribute the water within the can, the upper end of pipe B is provided with a nozzle or rose b, of which one specific form of construction and mode of attachment is clearly shown in Fig. 4. It is desirable, in order tofsterilize the vessels,

. to employ in connection with such hot water,

the primary purpose of which is to cleanse the vessels walls, live steam. For the purpose of furnishing this steam, a second vpipe b2, having suitable exterior connection, is disposed within aforesaid pipe B forming the fixed support just described. The discharge end b3 of this pipe will be seen, Figs. 1 and 4, to project beyond the rose b forming the terminal portion of pipe B.

Referring now to the brush designed for cleansing the interior walls of the vessel, this will be seen to consist in the form shown, Figs. l and 3, of two independent vertically disposed sections D, pivotally mounted at the cuter ends of arms b4 radially extendin from the axial support provided by pipe I The way in whichv these radial arms are secured to such supporting pipe is clearly shown in. Figs. 1 and, 4, it being designed that they shall'be non-rotatably or rigidly held in respect thereto. The brush sections D are desirably provided with inwardly extending arms (Z wherewith pivotalV connection is had ywith aforesaid radial yprojecting supporting arms b4 in order that a greater amount of variation in/ thelateral adjustment of the brushes may be had.

In order that the lower radially inset portion d of each brush member D may be capable of suiicient retraction, since it lies disposed very nearly in a line with the pivotal axis about which such member swings, I offset this lower portion from the main body of the brush, Fig. 5. By this construction, While the lower brush can be held closely against the wall of the can neck in the V`open t or expanded condition of the brush, it is retracted sufficiently to easily clear such neck when it becomes necessary to remove the can at the conclusion of the washing operation.

In view of the previous description of the manner in which the brushes D, are supported, it will be seen that they are in effect oscillatorily mounted on axes parallel with the supporting pipe B. For the purpose of swinging such brush sections about their axes of oscillation, a sleeve b5 isrotatably mounted upon the lower portion of the central supporting pipe, such sleeve being provided at its upper end with projecting arms be similar to those borne by the pipe. Links d2 connecting the ends of these arms withv the inwardly projecting arms al, whereby the brush sections are pivotally supported, are obviously adapted to effect oscillation of 'the sections upon rotation of the sleeve b5. To effect rotation thereof and consequent adjustment of the brush sections, a lever 57 is mounted upon the lower end ofthe sleeve,

and is suitably connected by means of rods' 58,129 and bell-crank Z910 with the hand-lever bn located where most convenient at one side of the machine frame A. The levers and'` connections'in question are of such proportions as to enable the brushes to be expanded, or pressed, against the Walls of the vessel being washed with considerable force. Inasmuch as the action of the brushes `is equally efficacious whether they bear directly against the Walls of the can or sweep across the same at an angle, it will be seen that in the variable actuation'of the brushes that is secured by the means just described, an opportunity is afforded for takin up wear as the ends ofthe bristle tufts of the brushes grow shorter and shorter with continued use. Thus the brushes as represented in Fig. 3 are shown as they would appear after considerable wear, but they are nevertheless 'brought' into contact with the walls of the can by fully straightening out the arms d. -Were the brushes shorter, however, it will be evident that by more nearly straightening out these arms the brush will be just as firmlypressed against such walls. The-support C upon which the vessel thus beingr washed is designed to rest, consists simply of a ,table or plate, preferably circular in form, rotatably resting upon a bearing provided bythe inner end Z212 of lever 57.' The under side of this table is provided with a bevel gear c that meshes with a bevel driving pinion c3, the latter being' mounted upon a driving shaft C that may be actuated through a pulleyV c, or other equivalent means, To fixedly secure the can or like vessel upon rotary support C a lever C2 is provided in the upper portion of the inachine frame, this lever bearing upon its under side a rotatable disk c5 positioned to centrally contact with the bottom of the inverted can when said lever is swung downwardly. f l

In order that the exterior of the can may be washed simultaneously with its'interior, a vertically disposed brush D is pivotally mounted laterally by the can when secured on such support. This brush is preferably hinged, or oscillatorily mounted, in order to enable it to be accommodated to cans of diffei'ent'diameters, a spring d, Fig. 2, being utilized to retain such brush in contact with the can pending the washing operation. A. branch connection B2 from the pipe B is disposed laterally contiguous to this brush and is provided with suitable jet openings for-supplying the necessary washing liquid .required for use in conjunction with this brush.

To catch and conduct away the water as it escapes from the interior of the can, a

pan C3, or the like, is' mounted just below supporting table C. By arranging that the Y direction of rotation of the can shall be that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, in -view of the relative dis osition of exterior brush D and' correspon ing Water supply pipe D2, I find that all splashing of water from the ou tsid'e of the can, 'even where quite rapidly rotated, is avoided, since the brush catches the water before it has an opportunity to be flung off from the walls of the can. Ac" cordingly this water also drains down into pan C3.

The manner of operation of the machine should be quite evident without further description. 4In conclusion then, it will suffice to point out that Vthe device here presented is adapted not only to handle Vessels of the 'character in hand expeditiously, but also to effect a thorough cleansing of the same with a minimum quantity of Water. Since racticallynone of such water is wasted a resh or clean sup ly v'may be used with each suc cessive vesse. Furthermore, by Vemploying steam at the conclusion of the washing operation in the manner contemplated, not only is the'interior of the vessel thoroughly sterilized, but the brushes also.

Other modes of applying ythe principle of my invention may be em'loyed instead of I; said last-named arms,.wnereby 1 1 fon rota# the' one explained, change A gards thel mechanism herein vided the means stated by any one of the einer made as re'- disclosed, proi following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention tion of thel latter 'saidbruslig mem rs may be swung upon their pivotal axes.A n. I N l 5. In a device of the characterv described,

the combination with a frame of a rota-ry support adapted to receive the vessel tob l. ln a device of the character described, i

the' combination with a frame of a substantially horizontally disposed, rotary sup ort adapted to receive the vessel to be was ed, such vessel being placed open end* down thereon; means for fixedly securing said vessel on said support, such means comprising a lever mounted tliereabove, and a member rotatably attached thereto and adapted to be pressed centrally upon the upper end of such vessel; and a relatively stationary expansible brush adapted to be inserted in such vessel.`

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame of a substantially horizontally disposed, rotary support adapted to receive the vessel to be washed, such vessel being placed open end down thereon; means for fixedly securing such vessel on said support; a second relatively stationary support extending within such vessel when thus secured; brush members pivotally secured tosuch stationary support on axes parallel therewith and adapted to be 4swung outwardly into contact with the interior of such vessels walls; and means for thus swinging such brush members.

3. In a device of the character described,`

down thereon; means for fixedly securing the latter upon said support; a stationary support extending axially within such vessel when thus secured; radially extending arms rigidly mounted upon said support;, v

other arms rotatably mounted thereon brush members pivotally "secured to said lirstf named arms on axes parallel with said support; and means connecting said brush members with said last-named arms, whereby upon rotation of the latter said brush members may be swung upon their pivotal axes.

4. In; a device of the character described, the combination with a frame ofa rotary supportadapted to receive the vessel to be was ed, such vessel being placed open end down thereon; means for fixedly securing the latter upon said support; a stationary liquid supply pipe extending axially within such vessel when thus secured; spaced, radially extending arms rigidly mounted upon said pipe; other arms rotatably mounted upon said pipe; brush members pivotally secured at the ends of said first named arms on axes parallel with said supply pipe; and

links connecting said brush members with washed, such vvessel being placed open nfd down thereon; means for lixedly securing the latter upon said support; a stationary liquid supply pipe extending axially within such vessel when thus secured, said pipe tei;- minating in a rose; spaced, radially extending pairs of armsl rigidly mounted upon said pipe; a sleeve rotatably mounted upon said pipe below the lower pair of said arms; other arms borne by said sleeve and rotatable therewith.; brush members pivotallj mounted upon the ends ofv said rigidl ymounted'arms; links connecting said rotatably mounted arms with said brush members whereby upon rotation of said arms the latter are swung upon their pivotal axes;arif means for rotating said sleeve to thus actuate said arms and brush members.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame of a rotary support adapted to receive the vessel to washed, such vessel being placed open enddown thereon; means for ixedly securing said vessel on said support, such means comprising a lever mounted thereabove, anda member rotatably attached thereto and adapted to be pressed centrally upon thef upper end of such vessel; a stationary liquid supply pipe extending axially within such vessel when thus secured, said pipe termihatingl in a rose; two spaced radially extendingpairs of arms rigidly' mounted upon said pipe; a ,sleeve rotatably mounted upon said pipe below the lower of said arms, said sleeve extending through said rotary sup'- port; other arms borne by said sleeve and rotatable therewith; brush members provided xvith arms on their back sides ivotally secured toV the ends of said rigidly by said sleeve may be rotated to thus actuate said brush members.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame of a vertically mounted water supply pipe; a sleeve rotal tably mountedl upon the lower end of said pipe; a table rotatably mounted on said sleeve,.said table being provided with a bevel gear on its unlier' side; `a driving pinion meshing with such gear; a lever mounted above said support on' axes parallel therel125 with on a transverse axis; a member rotar' tably attached to said levier and adapted to be centrally pressed upon a vessel placed upon said table.; two spaced, radially extending pairsiof arms rigidly mounte'dupon 130 lbrush members; and a lever mounted upon said Water supply pipe; other arms borne b said sleeve and vrotatable therewith; brus members pivotally mounted u on the ends of said rigidly mounted arms inks connecting the arms borne by said sleeve with said brush members; and a lever mounted upon said sleeve below said table, whereby said, sleeve may be rotated to swing said brush members. p 8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame of a vertically mounted water supply pipe, said pipe terminating in a rose; a steam supply pipe lying within said water sup ly pipe and extending thereabout; a s eeve rotatably mounted upon the lower end of said pipe; a ,table rotatably mounted on said sleeve,.said table being provided with a bevel gear on its 'under side; a driving pinion meshing with such gear; a lever mounted above said support on a transverse axis; a member rotatably attached to said lever and adapted to be centrally pressed upon a vessel placed upon said table; two spaced, radially'extending pairs of arms rigidly mounted upon said Water supply pipe; other arms borne by said sleeve and rotatable therewith; brush members pivotally mounted u on the ends of said rigidly mounted arms; inks connecting the arms borne by said sleeve with said said lsleeve below said table, whereby said sleeve may be rotated to swing said brush members. I

9. In a deviceof the character described,' the combination with a frame of a substantially horizontally disposed, rotary support adapted to receive the vessel to be Washed; means for fixedly securing the latter' open end down upon said support; a water-sup- L ply pipe extending centrally within said vessel when thus secured; a steam-supply ipe lyin within said water-supply pipe an exten mg thereabove; and a brush borne by y vessel to be washed and adapted to be swun into contact with the interior wall of suc vessel, lsaid brush member comprising a portion disposed to thusvcontact with t e body of the vessel and another portion, radially inset with 'respect to such first portion, to contact with the neck of the'vessel, ksuch inset portion being also laterally odset with respect to the other portion, substantially as described.

11. Ina device of the character described, the combination of an elongated brush member pivotal about' a longitudinally disposed axis other than that of the vessel to be washed so as to be adapted to swing youtwardly into Contact with the interior Wall of such vessel, said brush member comprising a portion disposed t'o thus contact with the body of `the vessel and another portion, radially inset with respect to such rst portion, to contact with the neck of the vessel, such inset portion being also laterally offset with respect lto the other portionl on the side ,folded in when the brush is collapsed, substantially as described.

'Signed by me this 7th day of May, 1907.

JAKE L. RANNEY.

Attested by:

MARY ISRAEL, JN0. F. OBERLIN. 

